Door Slammers. What do you do?

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crossbow

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Silver Spring, MD (USA)
On my way to my car this morning (had to get a new umd parking permit..grr), I was appauled by seeing two fellow drivers (one in a pickup truck, one in an SUV), open their driver doors with such force, that when it struck the car next to them, the suspension actually flexed.

It wasn't as if they even "tried" to open the door softly. Another individual had their door open, leaning on the other car, while they searched through their car (the door was rubbing up and down on the opposing cars body panel).

What do you do in this situation? These individuals seem to take absolutely no responsibility for their actions, and when confronted (in the case of one 6 owner), act like its "just normal behavior, and I did nothing wrong...look my car has dents too!!".

I luckily get to work early enough that I can snag one of the elitest spots, which prevent anyone from parking in front, back, or right or left of my car...without incuring a nasty ticket or injury to their vehicle.

Sorry I just had to vent...I thought to say something to the individuals...but there was so many it would have taken hours to chastise them
smile.gif
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The last time that happended to my old car I was coming out of Target and noticed a dent in my passenger side door. I inspected the car next to me and yes sir I could tell where my paint and his where together and it was the exact relationship where his door would have hit mine. I waited for more than 30 mins and the guy finally came back and I confronted him about the situation. His smartass reply was Sorry! It happens! No remorse or offer of compensation and to top it off he opended his door, got in and proceeded to start his engine. I then left a size 12 Doc Marten footprint dent in his door and yelled Sorry but it happens. He pulled out and threatened a lawsuit along with calling the police. He tried to get my license number but I was standing right infront blocking his view. He repeatedly cursed at me and told me to move so he could write my plate down but I told him if he wanted it he would have to come take a closer look for himself. Finally, he must have said to **** with it and drove away.

I've come to the point of being nervous driving my Camaro SS anywhere where parking lots are involved due to this type of crap. When I park beside cars my main concern is not hitting someone elses' door as I would not want them to hit mine. If I have to park in a lot I usually take my Wrangler because if anyone is careless with their door around it they will be sorry. 4" lift along with Warn Rocker Gaurds will nicely dent a hard opened door with no ill effects to 3/8" steel plate.
 
Nothing makes me more angry than people who do not respect the property of others. If someone wants to drive a dented, scratched up POS, fine, but one should not assume that others are as careless with thier vehicles.

This is just a symptom of a much larger problem in our society, IMO.
mad.gif
 
Our society has degraded to this point for several reasons. One reason is that we live in a time when personal responsibility is nearly non-existant. Another would be that it's now "cool" to be rude and smart mouthed. If you don't believe this, just watch any one of dozens of new trashy comedies on TV. But I think the main reason, and it is the root cause of all of it, is just plain selfishness. I have experienced this myself recently. Due to a job loss, my family and I had to move into an apartment complex after we lost our house. The first day we moved in my wallet from stolen from the rental truck while I was moving furniture into my apartment. A few days after that my wifes newer Honda CRV got a nasty door ding from some moron that decided not to be careful opening their door. A week or so later my vehicle was scratched on the hood from somebody dragging something across the top of it (purse, grocery bag?). And in the stairwell of my apartment the stupid woman below me allows her kids to play ON THE STAIRS so that nobody can get by! Every day I have to say "excuse me" over and over just to get into my place. The stupid parent just ignores me. One time one of my dogs had to go outside so I walked hm down the stairs, on a leash, and the kids and parent were sitting right in my way. I said "excuse me please" and they just barely moved sideways. As I passed them my dog was wagging his tail and stood up to lick one of the children. The kid screamed and fell back against the wall and then this lady gives me this really nasty look like it's my fault! I didn't asy anything but I was ready to lay into her good. She still has the gall to knock on my door and ask for change for the bus, sugar, a can opener, and anything else that she's too stupid to go buy herself. She even leaves grocery carts all over the complex because she's too lazy to bring them back to the store.
Anyway, I've gone on long enough. Just don't feel like you are the only one dealing with rude idiots everyday. What can you do anyway? Not a darn thing!
 
yep Novadude, you hit the nail right on the head, it is a society issue.

frown.gif


Last year I took my few months old vehicle to a dealership, under warranty, which at first they deneied it was a problem at all (of course they are the "experts" "factory trained" "certified class A mechanics"....) I proceed to show "them" a few vehicles on their lots, and of course not one indicated an oil leak at the head gasket.

Then they did do the work on another date, replacement of head gaskets no less. I really wonmder about this engine.

Anyhow back to the topic, upon picking up my vehicle, I observe a nasty ding on the door, with cruddy white paint, very similar to the car lifts in their shop, and exactly where the door would come in contact to their lift post.
The service advisor claimed that I must brought the vehicle in like that. Nice custome service.

A long story short, eventually it got repaired, with much agravation, 4 trips total since first going in with my engine concern.

Then I get a customer satisfaction survey letter from Chrysler, if I am satisfied... Yea right!
I like the vehicle, so would I buy another? maybe.
From that dealer? Never step foot in there again.

Next time if I ever have to lave any vehicle in for service (very seldom with me) I amke sure the car is spotless in and out, I make the service advisor walk around the car and make note of it.
 
As much regard as I have for the US Constitution, I think it has one big flaw.

We have a long recitation of rights in the Bill of Rights ... but not recitation of responsibilities.

Over time, US society has become enamored of rights and ever more lax about resposibilities.

Not much good can come of this!

John
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ryan00TJ:
I then left a size 12 Doc Marten footprint dent in his door and yelled Sorry but it happens.
Click to expand...
Nice.
cheers.gif


It's so satisfying when it works out like that, since it usually doesn't.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ryan00TJ:
The last time that happended to my old car I was coming out of Target and noticed a dent in my passenger side door. I inspected the car next to me and yes sir I could tell where my paint and his were together and it was the exact relationship where his door would have hit mine.
Click to expand...
Damage is damage. If it were me, I'd get his insurance information and charge him for fixing it. If he refused, I'd write down his plate number, contact the police, and charge "hit-n-run".


BTW I park away from everyone else. That walk is good exercise, and my 100,000 mile car is still pristine.

This is the only way to make other people respect your property. Hit their wallet.

[ November 01, 2004, 03:32 PM: Message edited by: farfel ]
 
I am much less careful about it when I am forced to squeeze in my door because some dolt failed to center themselves in their parking spot. If for a rational or other reason, you drive something larger, you have even more responsibility to park with care. Many people would be reduced to roller skates if forced to drive something proportional to their driving skills.

There was a column in Car and Driver about this in years ago. You would like some of the ideas, such as a sharpened tube through the radiator. Of course, you could park at the far end of the lot, leaving the closer places for granny and the soccer moms. As for the people that angle to the right taking up 2 places, they will get no sympathy from me if they come out to find their car keyed.
 
quote:
Of course, you could park at the far end of the lot, leaving the closer places for granny and the soccer moms.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's what I've gotten in the habit of doing. I try to pick my spot, and don't park next to a car that looks like it hasn't been maintained. (They're easy to spot
grin.gif
). This is no guarantee that a door ding won't happen, it just lessens the chances. If I see a vehicle with custom wheels and a nice paint job, clean, etc., I try to park next to them, knowing they probably are as courteous to my vehicle as I am to theirs.......
 
when i was in college, i had a 1973 buick century. 4 door, 350ci 4 barrel. earl schieb paintjob. mmmmmmmmmm...

anyway, when we'd go to the grocery or mall, we'd always look for the moron parked across multiple spaces, or otherwise illegally. then, ever so gently, i would park with my passenger side door about 2 angstrom from the offender's driver door.

it's not like they could hurt a 73 buick with a banana yellow earl schieb paint job.
 
Ricer parked across two parking slots at the movies.

Wrote him a note and put it on the windshield congratulating him for the brand new scratch I put in it since he had no manners when parking.

I didnt scratch the car but i would have loved to been there when the guy found the note.

Dan

Had a car full of teenagers about 17 or so hit my car at burger king. They had to try. Did it while I was in the car. I rolled down my windown and asked why they hit my car. The driver rolled out and said he and his buddies would kick my *** . He backed down after looking down the barrel of my 45 and hopefully gained some education. He was about two seconds from gaining weight 230grains at a time when he ran.
 
Sprintman,

Depending on area, its almost a massive problem here. Pull into the wrong parking lot at the wrong time, and you'd think you were at an airport with all the giant wings.

Its distressing cause it makes the actual car clubs look bad
frown.gif
. Everytime we have the big mazda meet (first wednesday of the month), there are always a group of honda owners that try to come over and "drive fast" in the parking lot. We literarly have to call the cops to get them to leave, cause we can lose the parking lot (for meeting) if they keep doing that crap.

I don't understand the need for people to try and show off their tiny 4 cylinder engines. If you wanna show them off, go autocrossing, to a track, or the strip...don't try and race in front of a fuddruckers =/.
 
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